Deadly blaze in Hazle Twp. ruled arson

Officials investigated the scene Monday of a fatal fire that happened Sunday at 1354 N. Church St., Hazle Township. Mary L. Cook, 47, was found unresponsive in the home after the fire and pronounced dead at Hazleton General Hospital. Anthony L. Gentle, 54, was injured in the blaze.

Yellow crime scene tape rippled in a slight breeze Monday around a Hazle Township home gutted by an "intentionally set" fire that killed a woman on Sunday night, state police at Hazleton said.

Troopers on Sunday night quickly labeled the fire at 1354 N. Church St. a crime scene and on Monday said the fire was a case of arson.

Troopers with the criminal investigation unit and fire marshals continue to investigate, according to a news release.

Troopers said Hazle Township firefighters found Mary L. Cook, 47, inside the single home, which is close to 31st Street. Luzerne County 911 dispatched fire crews to the house at 8:26 p.m.

Deputy Fire Chief Jason Bridge said the woman was found unresponsive in the home Sunday night and was taken to Hazleton General Hospital. Cook was pronounced dead by Deputy Luzerne County Coroner John Paletski.

According to the Luzerne County Coroner's Office, an autopsy is scheduled for this morning at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Anthony L. Gentle, 54, was burned in the fire and flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital's burn center. A hospital spokesman said Gentle was listed in critical condition Monday.

Emergency responders were unable to revive a pet dog.

Sunday night was not the first time police responded to an emergency at the home.

On Dec. 16, police responded to a domestic dispute involving Cook and Gentle, state police said. Cook's unidentified daughter told troopers her mother and her mother's boyfriend, Gentle, were drinking all day and arguing. She also told police both were growing marijuana in an upstairs bedroom. Troopers said they seized three plants and growing operation equipment.

At that time, troopers said Gentle and Cook were charged with drug violations. Both were scheduled to have preliminary hearings before Magisterial District Judge James Dixon on Feb. 4 at 9:30 a.m.

Troopers said Gentle was also charged with a violation of a protection-from-abuse order after police found Cook had one against him.

achristman@standardspeaker.com

570-455-3636

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